Method for modulating speed in sports activity

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method and a device for modulating one&#39;s motion in a sport or recreational activity such as inline skating, skateboarding or snowboarding. The device comprises a collapsible or retractable base having a distal end and a proximal end; and a removably attached motion modulating element on the proximal end and/or the distal end of the base.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and a device for modulating one's motion in a sport or recreational activity such as inline skating, skateboarding or snowboarding. The device comprises a collapsible or retractable base having a distal end and a proximal end; and a removably attached motion modulating element on said proximal and/or distal ends of said collapsible or retractable base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the problems associated with many recreational and/or sports activities such as inline skating (sometimes called “roller-blading”), skateboarding and snowboarding is ability to control ones speed. This problem becomes dangerous when one is going down hill and is rapidly gaining speed. In most cases, one can control the speed of such an activity by dragging one of the inline skates, dragging the “tail-end” of the skateboard, quickly turning the snowboard, making multiple turns to control one's speed or lifting one's foot and placing in an angle to slow down the speed. The latter method can be particularly dangerous as one can lose balance or cause instability when one of the leg is raised in an attempt to place the inline skate at an angle to decelerate.

These methods for controlling the speed often requires skill. For beginners, many trial and errors are necessary in order to become proficient at controlling one's speed. Such a trial and errors often requires a steep learning curve and often leads to injuries and dangerous situation. Part of the problems associated with these types of activities is that the speed control almost exclusively relies on the skill of the person.

Therefore, it is desirable if one can eliminate or substantially reduce the amount of skill required in modulating the motion of these types of activities, in particular to aid in reducing the speed or stopping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some aspects of the present invention provide a motion modulating device that can be used to modulate one's motion in a sport or recreational activities such as inline skating, skateboarding and snowboarding. Currently, one typically increases speed in these activities by pushing off with one's feet or by gravity. To stop or slow down, one uses turns or drags one's feet or the device to create increased friction to reduce the speed. In generally, one requires some level of skill to decelerate.

Unfortunately, many users of inline skates, snowboards or skateboards are not proficient in reducing the speed or making a quick stop to avoid potential dangers or collisions. This lack of proficiency in quickly reducing or stopping these devices results in a numerous accidents ranging from minor bruises to broken bones and even fatalities.

The motion modulating device of the invention can significantly reduce these accidents by allowing one to quickly reduce the speed or stop while using these devices without the need for proficiency in quickly manipulating these devices.

The motion modulating device of the invention comprises a collapsible or retractable base having a distal end and a proximal end; and a removably attached motion modulating element located said proximal end of said collapsible or retractable base. In some embodiments, the distal end can also have a removably attached second motion modulating element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a collapsible or retractable base of a motion modulating device of the invention and various parts associated therewith.

FIGS. 2A-6A are head-on views of various motion modulating elements that can be removably attached to the collapsible or retractable base.

FIGS. 2B-6B are side-view of various motion modulating elements shown in FIGS. 2A-6A, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described with regard to the accompanying drawings which assist in illustrating various features of the invention. In this regard, the present invention generally relates to a motion modulating device for use in sports or recreational activities. In particular activities associated with inline skating, skateboarding and/or snowboarding. That is, the invention relates to a collapsible or retractable motion modulating device and a method for using the same.

Various aspects and features of motion modulating device that is used in modulating one's speed in inline skating, skateboarding or snowboarding are generally illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, which are provided for the purpose of illustrating the practice of the present invention and which do not constitute limitations on the scope thereof.

Referring to FIG. 1, the collapsible or retractable base 10 of motion modulating device includes a proximal end 104 and a distal end 204. The collapsible or retractable base 10 can be made of two separate pieces, for example, in insert element 100 and a tube 200. By allowing various length of the insert element 100 to be inserted into tube 200, one can adjust the length of collapsible or retractable base 10 to a desired length for various activities. Collapsible or retractable base 10 is made from a rigid material such as a hard plastic, a metal, a ceramic, a composite or a combination thereof. The material for insert element 100 can be the same or different from tube 200. In one embodiment, insert element 100 includes a button pressure clip 112 which when pressed retracts and allows insert element 100 to easily slide through tube 200. Correspondingly, tube 200 includes an orifice 208 through which button pressure clip 112 can be inserted thereby preventing movement of insert element 100 relative to tube 200. Button pressure clip 112 is attached to a flexible element 108 that allows movement of button pressure clip 112 relative to the outer surface of insert element 100. By having a plurality of button pressure clip 112 located on insert element 100 one can easily adjust the overall length of collapsible or retractable base 10.

Insert element 100 can include a slide fitting 400 and tube 200 can include a sleeve 300. Slide fitting 400 is attached to the inserted end of insert element 100. The outer diameter of slide fitting 400 is substantially same (about 99% or more) as that of the inner diameter of tube 200. In this manner, a snug fit is achieved between slide fitting 400 and tube 200. In FIG. 1, tube 200 also has sleeve 300 that is fitted at the end of tube 200 in which insert element is attached. By having the inner diameter of sleeve 300 smaller than the outer diameter of slide fitting 400, one can be prevent completely detachment of insert element 100 from tube 200 when they are pulled apart.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, proximal end 104 and/or distal end 204 can be threaded (116 and 216, respectively) to allow attachment of various motion modulating elements. It should be appreciated, however, proximal end 104 and/or distal end 204 need not be threaded. In general, any attaching mechanism, e.g., button pressure-clip and orifice combination, quick-release mechanism, or any other mechanism known to one skilled in the art can also be used.

FIGS. 2A-6A show head-on view of various motion modulating elements. FIGS. 2B-6B show side-view of various motion modulating elements of FIGS. 2A-6A, respectively. FIGS. 2A and 2B show motion modulating element 500 which has a similar shape as a ski pole. This motion modulating element 500 has a flange 522 and a tip 524. The threaded end 526 is used to attach this motion modulating element 500 to proximal end 104 or distal end 204 by threading threaded end 526 onto proximal end thread 116 or distal end thread 216, respectively. It should be appreciated, as stated above, the connecting mechanism between proximal end 104 and/or distal end 204 of collapsible or retractable base 10 to the motion modulating element 500 can be achieved using a quick-release connection, snap-on connector, or other similar removably attachable mechanism known to one skilled in the art. However, for the sake of brevity and clarity, attaching mechanism will now be described in terms of male-female threaded joint. However, it should be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to such a mechanism for attaching motion modulating element 500 to proximal end 104 and/or distal end 204.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show motion modulating element 500 that has a metal threaded end 536 and a tip 534. In this embodiment, modulating element 500 is a cylindrical in shape and tip 534 is a substantially non-flexible material such as a hard plastic, rubber, metal, ceramic, composite, wood, or any other material that provides a sufficient mechanical strength and drag force when in contact with snow, concrete, asphalt, cement, or dirt to allow quick and substantial reduction of speed when used in conjunction with inline skating, snowboarding or skateboarding.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show motion modulating element 500 that is in the shape of a paddle. As can be seen, a tip 544 of motion modulating element 500 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B can provide a wide friction area by allowing a large surface area of contact with the surface (e.g., snow, concrete, asphalt, cement, bricks, dirt etc.) Threaded end 546 is located on the narrow end of the paddle. As well be recognized, this motion modulating element 500 in FIGS. 4A and 4B can also be used in aquatic recreational activities.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show motion modulating element 500 that is in a ball shape with optional protruding tip end 554. When protruding tip end 554 is present, threaded end 556 is typically located on the opposite side of the spherical motion modulating element 500. By dragging either the spherical body or the protruding tip end 554, one can modulate the speed of inline skate, snowboard or skateboard.

Another possible motion modulating element 500 shape is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. As shown in the side view (FIG. 6B), motion modulating element 500 is in a general shape of a fish-tail or a butterfly configuration. This configuration allows one to grasp the tip end 564 and readily turn motion modulating element 500 on to threaded proximal end 116 and/or threaded distal end 216 thereby allowing attachment via threaded end 566.

The ability to interchange various motion modulating elements 500 onto collapsible or retractable base 10 provides one to individually configure desired characteristics and/or properties for modulating motion of an inline skate, snowboard, or skateboard. For example, in snow (e.g., when snowboarding), it may be desirable to use motion modulating element 500 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B due to its wide surface area. This would allow a greater drag resistance when reducing the speed using the motion modulating device. In hard surfaces, it may be preferable to use motion modulating element 500 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Such a motion modulating device would be particularly useful for increasing the speed using tip end 554. It should also be appreciated that motion modulating device can have two different motion modulating elements 500. For example, a motion modulating device can have a motion modulating element of FIGS. 2A and 2B on one end and a motion modulating element of FIGS. 5A and 5B on the other end. In this manner, a wide variety of combination of different motion modulating devices can be used. For example, the following is a possible combination of motion modulating elements for a particular recreational and/or sports activity: snowboarding: ski tip on both ends, with flange; canoe paddle: paddle on both ends; kayak paddle: paddle on one end, handle or fish-tail configuration on opposite end; inline skates or Roller Blade®; rubber ball on one end, handle on opposite end or rubber ball on both ends; walking pole: ski tip with or without flange on one or both ends or one end with a handle; paddle board: ski tip on both ends without flange; fishing net: fishing net on one end and handle on the opposite end; shovel; shovel on one end and handle on the opposite end; ski pole: ski tip with flange on one end and a grip on the opposite end.

It should be appreciated that the mechanical strength of motion modulating element should be sufficiently high enough to allow an extended period of use. For example, for inline skating and/or skateboarding, motion modulating element 500, regardless of its configuration, should have hardness that is sufficient to aid in modulating motion without breakage or need for a frequent replacement. Typically, the hardness of motion modulating element 500 is sufficiently high enough to allow at least 50, typically at least 100 and most often at least 200 uses without the need for replacement. In addition, the apparatus of the invention and/or the collapsible or retractable base 10 should have a sufficient mechanical strength to avoid breakage. For snowboarding, due to softness of snow, the hardness and/or the mechanical strength can be less than those described for inline skating and skateboarding.

In practice, one who is using inline skates, snowboard or skateboard would place the desired motion modulating element 500 onto proximal tip end 104 and/or distal tip end 204 by an attaching mechanism. As stated herein, while the attaching mechanism is shown in the accompanying figures as being male-female thread combination, any removably attaching mechanism known to one skilled in the art can be used, e.g., quick-release mechanism, snap-on mechanism, etc. After attaching one or more motion modulating element 500 to proximal end and/or distal end of collapsible or retractable base 10, the user adjusts the length of the motion modulating device by adjusting the length of collapsible or retractable base 10. One then holds the motion modulating device with either one or two hands and pushes or drags motion modulating element side of motion modulating device to increase or decrease the speed, respectively. The user can also use motion modulating device to change the rotational motion while inline skating, snowboarding or skateboarding by pushing or dragging on one side or another. By adjusting the amount of force applied to the motion modulating end 500, the user can modulate the amount of increase or decrease in motion. Typically, higher the applied force, higher the speed modulation is achieved.

By using motion modulating device of the invention, the user needs not be proficient in modulating the speed of inline skates, snowboard, or skateboard simply using one's body or turns. Elimination of a need for proficient speed and/or directional control by the user greatly improves the safety of the user of inline skates, snowboards and/or skateboards. It should also be appreciated that the apparatus of the invention can also be used as a protection device, e.g., defending from wild animals or dogs.

The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. Although the description of the invention has included description of one or more embodiments and certain variations and modifications, other variations and modifications are within the scope of the invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter. All references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for modulating a subject's motion in a sport or recreational activity, wherein said sport or recreational activity is selected from the group consisting of inline skating, skateboarding and snowboarding, said method comprising modulating a subject's motion using a motion modulating device, wherein said motion modulating device comprises: a collapsible or retractable base having a distal end and a proximal end; and a removably attached motion modulating element located said proximal end of said collapsible or retractable base, wherein the subject's motion is modulated by having the subject exert pressure on a sport or recreational activity platform using said motion modulating element while grasping said retractable base.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said collapsible or retractable base further comprises a second motion modulating element that is removable attached to said distal end of said collapsible or retractable base.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said motion modulating element comprise a material selected from a hard rubber, plastic, ceramic, metal or a combination thereof.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said motion modulating device is used to increase a linear motion of said subject.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said motion modulating device is used to decrease a linear motion of said subject.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said motion modulating device is used to modulate a rotational motion of said subject. 